Koni shock absorbers - Team-BHP

razor4077 · 16th April 2007, 16:19

Hey guys,
I did a fair bit of hunting around, but couldn't really find any comprehensive information on TBhp on Koni's.
Now I'm keen on upgrading the suspension on an old Lancer, and was wondering if Koni's were the way to go.
Requirements: Improved handling & comfortable ride - should be able to handle bad roads well.
From the Koni website and some other forums, I gather there are 3 variants that I have to look at:
1. Koni Special or Reds: Good ride, decent handling
2. Koni Sport or Yellows: Harsher ride, great handling
3. Koni FSD: Sort of a compromise in between the above - good ride, good handling. Also much more expensive.

What other suspension components need to be changed along with the Koni's?

Keeping in mind that we drive on bad roads in general, I would think that the Reds would be the best option for us. What do you guys think?
Has anyone used Koni's, and if so, what's the verdict?
Finally, is the price tag worth it? Keep in mind, that in Calcutta we don't have (at least not to my knowledge) any experienced and competent suspension fine tuner who can tweak it for optimum results.

Would be great to hear your opinions.

razor4077 · 18th April 2007, 16:36

Not much of a response to this one...

Anyway, after talking to a few TBhpians like Psycho & Sideways, I contacted Krupesh Patel of Electra Performance for Pedders suspension.
My requirement is a suspension that can handle bad roads well & give me some added handling and agility as well. His recommendation was Pedders Comfort Gas shocks with their Heavy Duty Coil Springs. Apparently the Sports Ryder system is more for track use than daily use (which means, i assume, that the ride will be more harsh).
Has anyone used this suspension system in their cars? What's the feedback on it? Is it an appreciable improvement over stock (in ride + handling)?
The price quoted was 26k for shocks + 13.8k for springs (not yet negotiated) with 1 yr warranty.
Is this a good deal?

amu1983 · 18th April 2007, 18:39

I presume you already have tubeless tyres. If not, get them first, as that's the best and cheapest way to improve the ride quality of your car.

razor4077 · 18th April 2007, 18:48

yep... i have tubeless tyres. i'm interested in improving handling along with the ride, so i need a better suspension setup.
this is also a must since i'm going in for wider tyres with lower profiles.
hence my query.

1100D · 18th April 2007, 21:21

Hey Razor, sorry didn't see this before. The yellows are actually the Koni Adjustables and hence you maynot necessarily end up at the harshest end. They are in anycase better than the red ones (which are actually mild).

However the Red ones are recommendable if you are driving on stock shocks and have the fear of busting the stock shocks on the potholed national highway such as the NH34. The red ones are hardly costly.

razor4077 · 19th April 2007, 02:33

seems like pedders are winning over konis right now... seems they handle the bad roads better, especially their comfort series.
from what i hear, konis are pretty stiff, even after turning them to the softest levels...FSDs are a bit too expensive, and overkill really for my requirements.
given that this car will primarily be for daily city use on ok to bad roads, with the occasional "upping of the ante" (!!) , i'd go for the pedders.
but, anyone who thinks otherwise is free to chip in...

Mpower · 19th April 2007, 03:04

You can contact Killjoy and VikramD. Both are running rally shocks on their Esteems.

renamo · 19th April 2007, 12:11

Koni is a better option according to me. And contrary to what some one say, they are not very stiff.. Their damping is doing the trick for better handling.

I have driven esteems with Koni, cant compare them with anything else.

But yes, they are more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

razor4077 · 21st April 2007, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by renamo

Koni is a better option according to me. And contrary to what some one say, they are not very stiff.. Their damping is doing the trick for better handling.

I have driven esteems with Koni, cant compare them with anything else.

But yes, they are more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

Which Konis are you talking about? Red, yellow or FSD? Also, do you know what springs were being used? They definitely make a difference.

lohithrao · 22nd April 2007, 11:13

Hello guys.. even i wanted to go for the Koni's but was told that Koni's dont come for OHC?? is it true??
And is "pedder's " a good option....??? some info on this would be of great help.....and where will i get them in bangalore??? cost???

Thanks guys

razor4077 · 22nd April 2007, 12:25

Pedders are sold in India by Electra Performance. There are contact numbers on their website. You can call them up for more info, prices etc.

Electra Performance welcomes you

lohithrao · 22nd April 2007, 19:23

Hi Razor... has anyone you know has used "Pedders"??? any recommended model?? my requirement would for the hiway and should be able to take ruff roads??? one of my frind is using the Koni.. red i presume and is very happy with it....it behaves very well on ruff terrain too....hope to get some inputs on pedders

razor4077 · 22nd April 2007, 21:22

I know sideways is using it on his Lancer, and seems happy with them. You can ask him for details, since I am trying to find a good fit myself too. Can you ask your friend what springs he is using with the Koni Reds? And also the Koni's prices if possible?

lohithrao · 23rd April 2007, 11:26

razor: thanks will ask sideways...about the koni i remeber my fried telling tht he spent about 14k for his esteem... and he did try out with the various settings as he was not very comfortable at fiest... but once he got the right setting... he really enjoys his drive... anwya will get you the exact detail...

air870 · 7th May 2007, 04:16

have had the koni sports kit[adj] for a few months now. the handling on the skoda is super, my kit lowers the car by about 35mm front and rear so on a full load [4 pax] i do have scraping issues some times. along with mt 225/45/17 PP2 mich s the grip is great, the ride a little firm but worth the money spent.have heard of the yellows used with H&R springs give a slightly softer ride.

16th April 2007, 16:19	#1 (permalink)
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,159 View My Garage	Koni shock absorbers Hey guys, I did a fair bit of hunting around, but couldn't really find any comprehensive information on TBhp on Koni's. Now I'm keen on upgrading the suspension on an old Lancer, and was wondering if Koni's were the way to go. Requirements: Improved handling & comfortable ride - should be able to handle bad roads well. From the Koni website and some other forums, I gather there are 3 variants that I have to look at: 1. Koni Special or Reds: Good ride, decent handling 2. Koni Sport or Yellows: Harsher ride, great handling 3. Koni FSD: Sort of a compromise in between the above - good ride, good handling. Also much more expensive. What other suspension components need to be changed along with the Koni's? Keeping in mind that we drive on bad roads in general, I would think that the Reds would be the best option for us. What do you guys think? Has anyone used Koni's, and if so, what's the verdict? Finally, is the price tag worth it? Keep in mind, that in Calcutta we don't have (at least not to my knowledge) any experienced and competent suspension fine tuner who can tweak it for optimum results. Would be great to hear your opinions.

18th April 2007, 21:21	#5 (permalink)
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 2,364 View My Garage	Hey Razor, sorry didn't see this before. The yellows are actually the Koni Adjustables and hence you maynot necessarily end up at the harshest end. They are in anycase better than the red ones (which are actually mild). However the Red ones are recommendable if you are driving on stock shocks and have the fear of busting the stock shocks on the potholed national highway such as the NH34. The red ones are hardly costly. __________________ ________________________ Every Ferrari is always a Fiat

19th April 2007, 03:04	#7 (permalink)
Mpower Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chicago/B'lore Posts: 3,627 View My Garage	You can contact Killjoy and VikramD. Both are running rally shocks on their Esteems. __________________ The difference between the men and the boys....................is the speed of their toys.

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18th April 2007, 16:36	#2 (permalink)
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,159 View My Garage	Not much of a response to this one... Anyway, after talking to a few TBhpians like Psycho & Sideways, I contacted Krupesh Patel of Electra Performance for Pedders suspension. My requirement is a suspension that can handle bad roads well & give me some added handling and agility as well. His recommendation was Pedders Comfort Gas shocks with their Heavy Duty Coil Springs. Apparently the Sports Ryder system is more for track use than daily use (which means, i assume, that the ride will be more harsh). Has anyone used this suspension system in their cars? What's the feedback on it? Is it an appreciable improvement over stock (in ride + handling)? The price quoted was 26k for shocks + 13.8k for springs (not yet negotiated) with 1 yr warranty. Is this a good deal?

18th April 2007, 18:39	#3 (permalink)
amu1983 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 136	I presume you already have tubeless tyres. If not, get them first, as that's the best and cheapest way to improve the ride quality of your car.

18th April 2007, 18:48	#4 (permalink)
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,159 View My Garage	yep... i have tubeless tyres. i'm interested in improving handling along with the ride, so i need a better suspension setup. this is also a must since i'm going in for wider tyres with lower profiles. hence my query.

19th April 2007, 02:33	#6 (permalink)
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,159 View My Garage	seems like pedders are winning over konis right now... seems they handle the bad roads better, especially their comfort series. from what i hear, konis are pretty stiff, even after turning them to the softest levels...FSDs are a bit too expensive, and overkill really for my requirements. given that this car will primarily be for daily city use on ok to bad roads, with the occasional "upping of the ante" (!!) , i'd go for the pedders. but, anyone who thinks otherwise is free to chip in...

19th April 2007, 12:11	#8 (permalink)
renamo BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: bangalore Posts: 53	Koni is a better option according to me. And contrary to what some one say, they are not very stiff.. Their damping is doing the trick for better handling. I have driven esteems with Koni, cant compare them with anything else. But yes, they are more expensive, but you get what you pay for.

22nd April 2007, 11:13	#10 (permalink)
lohithrao BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Udupi/Bangalore Posts: 691 View My Garage	Hello guys.. even i wanted to go for the Koni's but was told that Koni's dont come for OHC?? is it true?? And is "pedder's " a good option....??? some info on this would be of great help.....and where will i get them in bangalore??? cost??? Thanks guys

22nd April 2007, 12:25	#11 (permalink)
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,159 View My Garage	Pedders are sold in India by Electra Performance. There are contact numbers on their website. You can call them up for more info, prices etc. Electra Performance welcomes you

22nd April 2007, 19:23	#12 (permalink)
lohithrao BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Udupi/Bangalore Posts: 691 View My Garage	Hi Razor... has anyone you know has used "Pedders"??? any recommended model?? my requirement would for the hiway and should be able to take ruff roads??? one of my frind is using the Koni.. red i presume and is very happy with it....it behaves very well on ruff terrain too....hope to get some inputs on pedders

22nd April 2007, 21:22	#13 (permalink)
razor4077 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,159 View My Garage	I know sideways is using it on his Lancer, and seems happy with them. You can ask him for details, since I am trying to find a good fit myself too. Can you ask your friend what springs he is using with the Koni Reds? And also the Koni's prices if possible?

23rd April 2007, 11:26	#14 (permalink)
lohithrao BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Udupi/Bangalore Posts: 691 View My Garage	razor: thanks will ask sideways...about the koni i remeber my fried telling tht he spent about 14k for his esteem... and he did try out with the various settings as he was not very comfortable at fiest... but once he got the right setting... he really enjoys his drive... anwya will get you the exact detail...

7th May 2007, 04:16	#15 (permalink)
air870 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 41	have had the koni sports kit[adj] for a few months now. the handling on the skoda is super, my kit lowers the car by about 35mm front and rear so on a full load [4 pax] i do have scraping issues some times. along with mt 225/45/17 PP2 mich s the grip is great, the ride a little firm but worth the money spent.have heard of the yellows used with H&R springs give a slightly softer ride.